Greetings all!
Long Time lurker, first time poster.
I just accepted my first contract at EF Zhengzhou, done a ton of research, am excited an ready to start just after the Spring Festival. There is however one bump in the road (or perceived bump anyway); I have been invited to spend the spring festival with my girlfriends family in Guangdong.

My school is fine with me pushing back my start date a little bit, but have suggested that I come over initially on an L/F visa, and then make a visa run to HK after the holiday (at their expense).

They say are worried that the holiday will cause delays in the Chinese bureaucracy, esp. given that my vacationing would decrease there time in which to get everything done.

It sounds above board to me, considering the original plan was to get a Z visa right off the bat, but I just wanted the expert opinion of the boards to put me at ease or at odds as the situation demands.

TL;DR Can one get a 'Z' Visa in HK? Which visa (L or F) should I begin my trip on? Also, opinions on Zhengzhou.

zhengzhou's a dirty, unremarkable provincial capital, but i had a great time when i lived there because i made a lot of great friends...and partied a lot...too much. ultimately, i guess it's what you make of it.

The correct answer is F Visa. get an F VISA with a 90 days stay and one year duration. Typically an L VISA gives you 30 days whereas an F VISA gives you 90 (assuming you ask for 90 and your country of origin allows it). Plus F VISA is multiple entry where the L is one entry - 30 days.

Correct. Took about 5 minutes to write one the last time I need an f visa. No issues from the visa office either. Plenty of templates out there to use.

PS not to sound argumentative JP but would you rather come to China on a 30 day visa or a 90 day visa ( to work while they process your Z visa?). 30 days cuts it to the wire especially knowing that they often leave things to the last miniute.

Ok, thanks for the help so far and I'm glad the HK visa run seems legit! EF said they would be willing to provide me with an invitation letter.

Now according to the Chinese Embassy website both F and L visas are typically only for thirty days. I know that they are the best about keeping there own information current, but is the F easier to get extended then the L? Also would one be more 'correct' (read legal) for my intent?

Ok, thanks for the help so far and I'm glad the HK visa run seems legit! EF said they would be willing to provide me with an invitation letter.

Now according to the Chinese Embassy website both F and L visas are typically only for thirty days. I know that they are the best about keeping there own information current, but is the F easier to get extended then the L? Also would one be more 'correct' (read legal) for my intent?